ROOTED - Monday, May 18, 2026

Ezekiel 17:22-24

22  Thus says the
Lord God: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar
and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs
a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty
mountain. 23 On the mountain height of Israel will
I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble
cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its
branches birds of every sort will nest. 24 And all
the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the
high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and
make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I
will do it.”

Reflection: An
Oak Tree

Written By: Pastor Jesse
Caro

When
my parents moved from Birmingham, Alabama (the city I probably call “home”) in
the early 2000’s, I was in my first year or so of ministry. They decided to
move to Houston, Texas… though we had never lived in Texas, or even been in
Texas. But I was married in West Virginia and dad had to do what was best for
his career. They moved, with all of mom’s potted plants. In Birmingham mom
would often take her potted plants outside for a dose of good light in the warm
months. A few months into living in Houston and mom noticed a red oak seedling
in one of her pots. Evidently an acorn fell in the pot in Birmingham and found
a nice comfortable home. She allowed it to grow to a small sapling and
transplanted it into the ground, tending to it in the backyard such that it
might grow to a strong oak tree. Over time it did grow, slowly but surely. Now
it stands tall at a height of more than 40 feet… a transplant from Birmingham,
Alabama!!!!

The
oak tree in my parent’s back yard in Houston reminds me a little of the way the
Lord wants to treat Israel. In chapter 17 God is intent to treat Israel like a
small cedar sprig, tending to it and placing it in a place for it to thrive. Up
on the mountain heights, the cedar might become a “noble” cedar producing fruit
and growing full and strong. Like the Birmingham oak, God wants his people to find
a place to grow deep roots. Mind you, this desire of God’s is, no doubt, for
you and me. His heartbeat for all his people, for all time, is for us to grow
spiritually… and he is tenderly hoping to see that happen.

Prayer

Lord,
thank you for your care for us. You have been watchful over us, guiding us in
ways so that we might grow in you. Help us to bear fruit for your name’s sake.